Abstract
Chiasma frequency variation has been studied in 12 populations ofCepaea hortensis and the results compared with those previously obtained forC. nemoralis from the same populations. Variation in chiasma frequency is effectively restricted to a single large bivalent. In both species there are significant differences between populations in chiasma frequency. Although mean population mean chiasma frequencies are similar inC. hortensis andC. nemoralis, C. hortensis is less variable thanC. nemoralis. This can be seen, to a greater or lesser extent, at several levels-(i) within cells, (ii) between cells, (iii) between snails, and (iv) between populations-and is most noticeable when interstitial chiasmata are considered separately from terminal chiasmata. Data from 6 populations suggest that chiasma frequency remains stable between successive years. It is suggested that, since sympatric populations were studied, the most likely explanation for differences in chiasma frequency statistics between the two species is thatC. hortensis andC. nemoralis are responding differently to similar selective pressures.
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Price, D.J. Chiasma frequency variation inCepaea hortensis (Müll.) and a comparison withC. nemoralis (L.). Genetica 45, 497–508 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01772872
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01772872